'Forest for Life' exhibition unveiled to inspire eco-conscious Living

An art exhibition titled "Forest for Life" was jointly launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the China Green Foundation on Tuesday at the Overseas Cultural Exchanges Center in Beijing.

The 'Forest for Life' campaign, jointly run by the UN-REDD Programme and the United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, aims to protect and restore forests by raising public awareness of how individual choices could affect crucial ecosystems.

As part of the campaign, the exhibit provides an immersive experience through art installations by talented Chinese artist Yuan Long. Inspired by the Chinese adage, "Within wood, there are people; within forests, there are origins; and within groves, there are crowds," the exhibition's theme, "Woods, Groves, and Forests, People in Crowds," prompts reflection on the intricate human-environment connection.

Mario Boccucci, Head of the UN-REDD Secretariat, expresses his enthusiasm for the exhibit, stating, The 'Forest for Life' exhibit serves as a powerful means for increasing awareness, inspiring efforts to conserve and restore these critical ecosystems, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Natalia Alekseeva, the Coordinator of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, shared her insights with China Daily following the event. Fromher perspective, the art exhibition aims to capture people's attention towardforest protection through emotions rather than intellect. Through art, individuals can come to recognize the inherent value of trees in their daily existence.

Regarding the promotion of a more eco-friendly lifestyle, she emphasized the importance of reducing resource consumption to minimize deforestation. For instance, as consumers, we can take steps such as discontinuing the use of disposable paper cups and opting for more recyclable products.

"The 'Forest for Life' campaign is a clarion call to action for all generations to protect and restore forests, and a reminder that together, we have the power to mend our planet", said Natalia.

The exhibition will run till Sept 25 at Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchanges Center.